Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 0803’

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley 0803’ is provided. ‘Ridley 0803’ is a commercial variety intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing markets and as a home garden plant. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘M09-18-09’ (unpatented) and ‘Ridley1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432), and can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Latin name of the genus and species: Genus—Vaccinium. Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Ridley 0803’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley 0803’. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley 0803’ is intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding program of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2013 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘M09-18-09’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432). The seed parent was produced from a seedling selection of seed parent ‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778) and pollen parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695). The pollen parent was produced from a seedling selection of seed parent ‘S02-25-05’ (not patented) and pollen parent ‘S03-08-02’ (not patented).

The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2016 in a commercial field plantation environment at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

The new blueberry cultivar was designated ‘M16-08-03’ and has been planted in replicated trials since 2017 at the commercial farms at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2016 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of the new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia and that have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘M16-08-03’ (‘Ridley 0803’) as a new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. very large fruit size;     -   2. strong crunch;     -   3. firm texture;     -   4. excellent bloom;     -   5. sweet flavor;     -   6. vigorous growth;     -   7. round bush shape; and     -   8. mid-season timing of flowering and fruiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 0803’. The colors are as true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new blueberry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustrations show the typical appearance of the new variety ‘Ridley 0803’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the colors of the new plant.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 0803’, demonstrating the plant's round growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 0803’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 0803’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the flower cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley 0803’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the flower cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley 0803’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Ridley 0803’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 1-2 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam from 2017-2021, New South Wales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designations are from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, sixth edition.

-   Classification:     -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.         -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.         -   c. Species.—Hybrid.         -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘M09-18-09’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—‘Ridley1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432). -   Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for     shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing     markets and as a home garden plant.

PLANT

-   General:     -   -   Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘M09-18-09’ (unpatented). Male             Parent — ‘Ridley1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432).         -   Plant height.—Average 1.6 m.         -   Plant width.—Average 1.4 m.         -   Growth habit.—Round.         -   Growth.—Strong.         -   Productivity.—3.7 kg/plant in 2^(nd) harvest.         -   Cold hardiness.—Has not been tested/expected to be low.         -   Cold tolerance.—Has not been tested/expected to be low.         -   Chilling requirement.—Has not been tested/expected to be             low.         -   Tolerance to disease.—Has not been tested.         -   Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is high.         -   Twigginess.—Moderate to high.

STEM

-   General:     -   -   Suckering tendency.—Average, 5 canes/plant.         -   Mature cane color.—199D.         -   Mature cane length.—50-90 cm.         -   Mature cane width.—16 mm.         -   Bark texture.—Rough.         -   Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth-medium.         -   Internode length on strong, new shoots.—11-18 mm; 13.5 mm             average.         -   Fruiting wood.—Up to 28 cm in length; 15 cm average.

FOLIAGE

-   General:     -   -   Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Early (from             approximately week 35 onwards at Tabulam, NSW, Australia).         -   Leaf color (top side).—144A/138A.         -   Leaf color (under side).—138B/139D.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf margins.—Entire.         -   Undulation of margin.—Weak.         -   Leaf venation.—Reticulate.         -   Leaf apices.—Acute.         -   Leaf bases.—Acute.         -   Leaf length.—Average 73 mm.         -   Leaf width.—Average 36 mm.         -   Leaf length/width ratio.—2.0278:1.         -   Leaf nectaries.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.         -   Cross sectional profile.—Flat/slightly curving.         -   Longitudinal profile.—Flat/Straight.         -   Attitude.—Semi-upright. -   Petioles:     -   -   Length.—Average 4.5 mm.         -   Width.—Average 2.3 mm.         -   Color.—145A/B.

FLOWERS

-   General:     -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—Mid (week18-20 at Tabulam,             NSW Australia).         -   Time of 50% anthesis.—Week 25-27 at Tabulam, NSW Australia.         -   Flower shape.—Urceolate.         -   Flower bud density.—Medium.         -   Flower fragrance.—Absent to weak. -   Corolla:     -   -   Color.—NN155B.         -   Length.—9-12 mm, average 10.7 mm.         -   Width.—8 mm average.         -   Aperture width.—Average 3 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent to weak.         -   Corolla ridges.—Present.         -   Protrusion of stigma.—Nil. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Length.—Average 29.3 mm.         -   Diameter.—Average 21.5 mm.         -   Length of peduncle.—Average 16.9 mm.         -   Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.         -   Color of peduncle.—142C.         -   Length of pedicel.—6 mm average.         -   Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.         -   Color of pedicel.—142C.         -   Number of flowers per cluster.—Average 8.         -   Flower cluster density.—Medium. -   Calyx (with sepals):     -   -   Diameter.—Average 7.2 mm.         -   Color (sepals).—142C. -   Stamen:     -   -   Length.—7 mm.         -   Number per flower.—8-10.         -   Filament color.—150D. -   Pistil:     -   -   Length.—11 mm.         -   Style length.—9-10 mm.         -   Ovary color (exterior).—147A. -   Anther:     -   -   Length.—4.6 mm.         -   Number.—8-10.         -   Color.—N163A/N167A. -   Pollen:     -   -   Abundance.—High.         -   Color.—158C.         -   Self-compatibility.—Low — moderate 40%.

FRUIT

-   General:     -   -   Time of fruit ripening.—Mid season (from week 30 in Tabulam,             NSW, Australia).         -   Time of 50% maturity.—Week 40 at Tabulam, NSW, Australia.         -   Fruit development period.—77-91 days.         -   Cluster density.—Medium.         -   Unripe fruit color.—145A.         -   Ripe berry color.—202A/203D.         -   Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.         -   Berry flesh color.—157B/191B.         -   Berry weight.—4.1 gram average.         -   Berry height from calyx to scar.—13.4 mm average.         -   Berry diameter.—22 mm average.         -   Berry shape.—Oblate.         -   Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).         -   Sweetness when ripe.—14° Bx.         -   Firmness when ripe.—Firm (64% Durofel).         -   Acidity when ripe.—Low to moderate.         -   Storage quality.—Performs adequately in storage trials for             up to 4 weeks.         -   Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Very suitable.         -   Self-fruitfulness.—Low to moderate, requires cross             pollination.(40%).         -   Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing             markets and as a home garden plant.

SEED

-   General:     -   -   Seed abundance in fruit.—Not assessed.         -   Seed color.—Not assessed.         -   Seed dry weight.—Not assessed.         -   Seed length.—Not assessed.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

When ‘Ridley 0803’ is compared to the seed parent ‘M-09-18-09’ (unpatented) it can be observed that ‘M-09-18-09’ has comparatively poor flavor, firmness and plant vigor. ‘M-09-18-09’ has not been maintained so is not available for further comparison.

Table 1, below, provides comparisons between ‘Ridley 0803’, its pollen parent, ‘Ridley 1403’, and the commercial cultivars that it has the most similarity to, ‘Ridley 0808’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,074) and ‘Ridley 1607’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,035).

TABLE 1 ‘Ridley 1403’ U.S. Plant Pat. Organ Context ‘Ridley 0803’ No. 25,432) Plant Vigor Strong Strong Plant Growth habit Round Upright to semi- upright One-year- Color Green Green old shoot One-year- Length of Medium Medium old shoot internode Leaf Length Long to very Long to very long long Leaf Width Broad Broad Leaf Shape Elliptic Elliptic Leaf Color of upper side Green Green Leaf Intensity of green Medium Medium color on upper side (varieties with green leaf color only) Leaf Margin Entire Entire Flower bud Anthocyanin Weak Weak coloration Flower Shape of corolla Urceolate Urceolate Flower Size of corolla tube Medium Medium to large Flower Anthocyanin Absent or very Absent or very coloration of weak weak corolla tube Flower Ridges on corolla Present Present tube Fruit cluster Density Medium Medium to dense Unripe fruit Intensity of green Light Light color Fruit Size Very large Very large Fruit Shape in Oblate Round longitudinal section Fruit Attitude of sepals Erect Erect Fruit Diameter of calyx Large Large basin Fruit Depth of calyx Deep Deep basin Fruit Intensity of bloom Strong Medium Fruit Color of skin Dark blue Dark blue Fruit Firmness Firm to very firm Very firm Fruit Sweetness High High Fruit Acidity Low to medium Low Time of Vegetative bud Early to medium Early to burst medium Time of Beginning of Medium Early to flowering medium Time of Beginning of fruit Medium Early to ripening medium ‘Ridley 0808’ ‘Ridley 1607’ (U.S. Plant Pat. U.S. Plant Pat. Organ Context No. 31,074) No. 31,035) Plant Vigor Strong Strong to very strong Plant Growth habit Upright Upright to semi- upright One-year- Color Green Green old shoot One-year- Length of internode Medium-long Medium old shoot Leaf Length Medium to long Long Leaf Width Broad Broad Leaf Shape Elliptic Elliptic Leaf Color of upper side Green Green Leaf Intensity of green Medium Medium color on upper side (varieties with green leaf color only) Leaf Margin Entire Entire Flower bud Anthocyanin Medium Weak coloration Flower Shape of corolla Urceolate Urceolate Flower Size of corolla tube Medium Medium Flower Anthocyanin Absent or very Absent or very coloration of weak weak corolla tube Flower Ridges on corolla Present Present tube Fruit cluster Density Medium Medium Unripe fruit Intensity of green Light Light color Fruit Size Medium to Medium to large large Fruit Shape in Oblate Oblate longitudinal section Fruit Attitude of sepals Erect Erect Fruit Diameter of calyx Large to very large Large to very basin large Fruit Depth of calyx Deep Deep basin Fruit Intensity of bloom Strong Strong Fruit Color of skin Dark blue Dark blue Fruit Firmness Very firm Very firm Fruit Sweetness Very high High to very high Fruit Acidity Medium to high Medium Time of Vegetative bud Medium to late Early burst Time of Beginning of Very late Late to very late flowering Time of Beginning of fruit Very late Late to very late ripening 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 0803’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 